Trump-Zelenskyy talks cut short after heated exchanges in Oval Office – summary
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Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s visit to the White House has been cut short after he got into a heated exchange with US president Donald Trump and vice-president JD Vance, who accused him of “disrespectful” behaviour during their talks in the Oval Office.
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In a social media update, Trump said he has determined that Zelenskyy “is not ready for peace if America is involved, because he feels our involvement gives him a big advantage in negotiations”, and said the Ukrainian leader “disrespected the United States of America in its cherished Oval Office”. “He can come back when he is ready for peace,” he added.
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In their earlier talks, Trump repeatedly told Zelenskyy that he was “gambling with the lives of millions, with the third world war”, and told him to stop holding out for further security guarantees saying “you’re either going to make a deal or we are out”.
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Trump appeared to draw false equivalence between the two sides of the war and positioning himself “for both Ukraine and Russia” as he pursues a peace deal, in stark contrast to Zelenskyy’s comments about Putin as a “killer” and “terrorist” who invaded Ukraine, and with whom he was not ready to compromise on the Ukrainian territory.
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The pair repeatedly clashed over their view of Russia and the negotiations, as well as the extent of the European support for Ukraine.
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JD Vance also falsely accused Zelenskyy for not thanking the US for its support and “campaigning for the opposition in October,” instead of showing “words of appreciation for the US and the president who is trying to save your country.”
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Zelenskyy has left the White House moments ago, with the press conference between the two leaders, where they were expected to sign a deal on minerals, also cancelled.
Key events
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Russia reacts with glee to Trump-Zelenskyy clash
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Starmer expresses ‘unwavering support’ for Ukraine after calls with Trump and Zelenskyy
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US considering ending all military aid to Ukraine – report
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Zelenskyy thanks European leaders for outpouring of support after Trump clash
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US senator Lindsey Graham calls for Zelenskyy to resign
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Zelenskyy ‘has bravery and strength to stand up for what is right’, says Ukrainian foreign minister
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Further European leaders back Zelenskyy in remarkable show of unity
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Ukraine ‘fighting for dignity, independence, security of Europe’, Macron says
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Zelenskyy’s Hudson Institute speech cancelled
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European leaders rally behind Zelenskyy after Trump spat
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Trump’s personal decision to call talks with Zelenskyy off – media reports
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‘Ukraine needs just and lasting peace, we are working for that,’ Zelenskyy says, as he thanks America and Trump
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‘Ukraine, Spain stands with you,’ Spanish prime minister says
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Macron pointedly backs Ukraine over ‘aggressor’ Russia responding to Trump-Zelenskyy clash
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No mineral deal signed, White House confirms
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Poland’s Tusk publicly backs Zelenskyy after clash with Trump
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Trump-Zelenskyy talks cut short after heated exchanges in Oval Office – summary
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Zelenskyy leaves White House after visit gets cut short
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Heated exchanges between Trump, Zelenskyy and Vance – video
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Trump-Zelenskyy press conference cancelled with Zelenskyy set to leave early
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Zelenskyy ‘disrespected the US’ and ‘not ready for peace’, Trump says
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We are committed to Nato, Trump says, but they need to step up
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Putin hates Ukrainians, Zelenskyy says
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Mineral deal not enough, we need security guarantees, Zelenskyy says
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Disagreement between Zelenskyy, Trump and Vance – in pictures
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Trump and Zelenskyy disagree on degree of Europe’s help
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Zelenskyy says ‘no compromises’ with Putin on territories
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‘You’re either going to make a deal or we are out,’ Trump tells Zelenskyy
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Trump, Zelenskyy and Vance clash over diplomacy with Putin
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‘Have you said thank you once?’, JD Vance attacks Zelenskyy
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‘You are gambling with world war three,’ Trump tells Zelenskyy
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I am for both Ukraine and Russia, Trump says
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Trump confirms deal to be signed later, compromises needed but ‘not as big as some people think’
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‘You’re all dressed up!’, Trump tells Zelenskyy on arrival
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We take pride in partnership and friendship with US, Zelenskyy told senators
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Zelenskyy’s arrival at the White House – video
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Trump welcomes Zelenskyy to White House
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Zelenskyy about to arrive at White House to meet Trump
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Five unknowns about any possible deal to end Ukraine-Russia war – analysis
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Athens protests turn violent after clashes with police – video
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German coalition talks formally underway
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Danish intelligence monitoring potential Russian interference in Greenlandic vote
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Zelenskyy expected at London summit on Sunday – diplomatic sources
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Russia names new US ambassador
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European focus for London, EU talks is on supporting Ukraine’s defence, security guarantees – Macron
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Macron says reinstating ‘strategic ambiguity’ on European troops helps Ukraine peace talks
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Macron left with ‘very little hope’ on US tariffs after meeting Trump
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Ireland starts crackdown on asylum system abuses with deportation flights to Georgia
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Romanian government survives no-confidence vote
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Pope Francis no longer in critical condition
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Zelenskyy’s visit to White House – timings
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Protesters ‘waging battle’ with police in Athens as protests turn violent
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Athens protests turn ugly with clashes with police
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Greeks protest through ‘angry silence’ on second anniversary of Tempe train crash
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Protests in Greece on two-year anniversary of Tempe train crash
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Trump briefly wanted to cancel Zelenskyy’s visit – French media
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What European papers say
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Putin would ‘keep his word’ on Ukraine peace deal, Trump insists & other key developments
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Key takeaways from Trump-Starmer meeting
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Morning opening: The Art of the Deal
Russia reacts with glee to Trump-Zelenskyy clash
Moscow has reacted with glee to the confrontation between Donald Trump and Volodymyr Zelenskyy in the White House on Friday.
Former Russian president Dmitry Medvedev, now deputy head of Russia’s security council, called Zelenskyy an “insolent pig” who had received “a proper slap down in the Oval Office”.
Kirill Dmitriev, head of Russia’s direct investment fund, called the heated confrontation between the US and Ukrainian leaders “historic”.
Maria Zakharova, spokesperson for the Russian foreign ministry, said it was a miracle that Trump and his vice-president, JD Vance, had restrained themselves from hitting Zelenskyy.
Konstantin Kosachyov, deputy chair of Russia’s upper house of parliament, said the bruising encounter had revealed Zelenskyy’s true colours. “Zelenskyiy lost this round with a deafening rattle. And he will have to crawl to the next one on his knees,” he wrote.
Former Kremlin adviser Sergei Markov said the White House meeting was likely to accelerate the end of Zelenskyy’s political career.
Longtime Russian lawmaker Andrei Klishas said the meeting between Trump and Zelenskyy had yielded a “brilliant result”, adding that the Ukrainian leader acted like a “clown” and had been thrown out of the White House “for bad behaviour and disrespect towards the US”.
Russian drones struck a medical facility and triggered a fire late on Friday in Ukraine’s second largest city, Kharkiv, and also hit several other targets, according to Kharkiv mayor Ihor Terekhov.
Drones also hit an area near a filling station and a building close to a high-rise apartment building, Reuters reports, citing Terekhov.
Kharkiv Oblast governor Oleh Syniehubov said all the strikes were in central districts of the city and emergency crews were working at the different sites.
Starmer expresses ‘unwavering support’ for Ukraine after calls with Trump and Zelenskyy
The UK’s prime minister Keir Starmer has spoken to Donald Trump and Volodymyr Zelenskyy on Friday, Downing Street said.
Starmer “retains unwavering support for Ukraine, and is doing all he can to find a path forward to a lasting peace based on sovereignty and security for Ukraine”, a No 10 spokesperson said, adding:
The prime minister looks forward to hosting international leaders on Sunday including President Zelenskyy.
Italy’s prime minister Giorgia Meloni has called for an immediate summit between the US, Europe and allies to discuss how “to deal with the great challenges of today, starting with Ukraine”.
“Every division of the west makes us all weaker and favours those who would like to see the decline of our civilisation,” Meloni said in a statement.
A summit without delay is needed between the United States, European states and their allies to talk frankly about how we intend to tackle today’s major challenges, starting with Ukraine, which together we have defended in recent years.
US considering ending all military aid to Ukraine – report
The Trump administration is considering ending all ongoing shipments of military aid to Ukraine after a meeting between Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Donald Trump in the Oval Office, the Washington Post reports.
The decision, if taken, would apply to billions of dollars of radars, vehicles, ammunition and missiles awaiting shipment to Ukraine through the presidential drawdown authority, the outlet reports, citing a senior US official.
The announcement comes in response to Zelenskyy’s remarks in the White House and “perceived intransigence in the peace process”, the paper writes.
According to the Post, the US official “pushed back on the notion” that the confrontation between Trump and his vice president JD Vance with Zelenskyy was premeditated.
David Smith
“This is going to be great television,” Donald Trump remarked at the end. Sure. And the captain of the Titanic probably assured his passengers that this would make a great movie some day.
Trump has just presided over one of the greatest diplomatic disasters in modern history. Tempers flared, voices were raised and protocol was shredded in the once hallowed in the Oval Office.
As Trump got into a shouting match with Ukraine’s Volodymyr Zelenskyy, a horrified Europe watched the post-second world war order crumble before its eyes.
Never before has a US president bullied and berated an adversary, never mind an ally, in such a public way. Of course reality TV star and wrestling fan turned US president had it all play out on television for the benefit of his populist support base – and a certain bare-chested chum in the Kremlin.
Read the full report from the Guardian’s DC bureau chief: Bullying, berating Trump shows his worst self in Zelenskyy ambush
Hungary’s prime minister Viktor Orbán has stood out from among his European colleagues for publicly expressing his support for Donald Trump after his meeting with Volodymyr Zelenskyy at the White House.
Orbán, a longtime Trump ally, cast Zelenskyy as working against peace in his own country in a social media post.
“Strong men make peace, weak men make war,” he wrote.
Today President Donald Trump stood bravely for peace. Even if it was difficult for many to digest. Thank you, Mr. President!
Gen Oleksandr Syrskyi, commander-in-chief of Ukraine’s armed forces, said his forces stood with president Volodymyr Zelenskyy.
Syrskyi, who rarely makes political statements, said:
The armed forces are with Ukraine, with the people, with the supreme commander-in-chief. Our strength is in unity. We continue to destroy the occupier, bringing victory closer. Glory to Ukraine!
Zelenskyy thanks European leaders for outpouring of support after Trump clash
Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelenskyy has thanked world leaders for their support after his meeting with Donald Trump, which devolved into a shouting match and the cancellation of a joint press conference scheduled for this afternoon.
Zelenskyy has taken to X, formerly Twitter, to thank leaders who have posted their support on the social media platform.
They include the leaders of Germany, Spain, France, Poland, Sweden, Norway, Moldova, Ireland, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Denmark, Estonia, Lithuania, Latvia, Czech Republic, Finland, Portugal, Croatia, the European Parliament, the European Commission and European Council.
Faisal Ali
Following Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s argument with Donald Trump in the White House, UK prime minister Keir Starmer has spoken over the phone with the Turkish president Recep Tayyip Erdoğan.
In a post on social media, the Turkish presidency said the two leaders discussed “regional and global matters”, adding that Turkey wants a “just and lasting peace as soon as possible” to the war in Ukraine.
Earlier this week, Bloomberg reported that Ankara was prepared to send peacekeeping troops to Ukraine to help monitor a ceasefire if one is agreed.
However, a source told the outlet that Turkey would not participate in any mission “unless it is involved in all consultations and preparations regarding its formation”.
Here’s a picture showing empty and tables in the East Room of the White House that were set up for an intended joint press conference and signing ceremony with Donald Trump and Volodymyr Zelenskyy.
As we reported earlier, Zelenskyy’s planned appearances at the Hudson Institute and the Ukrainian House in DC have also been cancelled.